And…. The reasons why your palm isn’t doing so well and what you may do to revive it.
Because, as you’ll read; for most of the time, palm trees need somewhat constant care and attention, and this is so as to ensure their good health and vitality. Discovering the root cause of your palm tree’s health problems is the first step in finding a remedy to its potential demise.
Which means that it’s very possible that it’s all because of three key things that could be to blame here, that is; improper maintenance, over-watered soil, or insufficient nutrients? Having this knowledge makes it simpler to deal with the problem.
Why Is My Palm Tree Withering?
Palm trees can be slowly destroyed by a wide variety of factors… And the five key ones could be one or all of the following:
- Soil ruined by too much water,
- Climatic conditions,
- Fungus and or Insects,
- Insufficient and incorrect nutrients, and
- Too much or too little sunlight.
Resurrecting A Dying Palm Tree (The Fast-facts)
- Just add the appropriate amount of water.
- Apply Quality Fertiliser; increase nutrition supply using high-quality fertiliser.
- Don’t get fertiliser near the plant’s roots unless you’re willing to kill it.
- Invest in good dirt or appropriate soil.
- Do not snip living branches, only their dead remains
- Don’t cut back during the monsoons or cyclone seasons
- Set the proper planting depth for palm trees
- Ensure that it contains sufficient nutrients.
- You can either make it sunnier or keep it in shade.
- Only dead fronts should be removed
- If your palm tree is still alive, it will eventually shed its old fronds and produce new ones.
- And if it’s fungus and insects, try spraying correct fungicide into the plant’s crown and let it sit there for a while.
Palm trees bring a sense of tropical splendour and a such, the healthy growth of a palm tree requires time and care to achieve the best results.
12 Steps On How To Resurrect An Almost Dead Palm Tree
1. Control The Sun – If your palm tree gets enough sunlight in the morning and evening, that’s ideal. If it doesn’t get enough sunlight, you might have to relocate it.
2. Control And Watering – Plants require enough water to flourish, so make sure you give it just enough! Not too much and not too little (Best to be under-watered than over-watered). One of the most common reasons palm trees die is because they are overwatered. So, make sure the soil is always moist without becoming waterlogged.
3. Apply Fertiliser With Caution – For the best results, you’ll want to use the highest grade fertiliser available. And avoid having the fertiliser too close to the plant’s roots. Applying fertiliser too close to a tree’s root might harm it, so keep it at least 50mm (or 2 inches) from the base.
4. Remove Insects And Pests – If you see them, remove them ASAP, because if you don’t, the tree begins to lose nutrients to the pests and insects, leading to stunted development and, eventually, death. Not what you want is it?
5. Pruning Occasional – Remember that pruning should best be done only after the fronds have perished or are in the process of dying. If you don’t know what to do, just leave your palm tree alone until the fronds are completely dead.
6. Providing The Tree With The Correct Soil – With your palm tree, you need soil with enough drainage, as this is essential. By doing so, water can reach the root ball to sustain the tree’s vitality. Additionally, remembering that it’s very important for the soil to be damp but not soaked.
7. Using Only High-Quality Fertiliser – You shouldn’t plant a palm in any type of soil; and you need to supply nutrients it needs. Look for products that meet the palm’s nutritional needs. Remembering when applying fertiliser to avoid it being too close to the plant’s roots; at least 50mm (or 2 inches) away, or you could end up scorching the tree’s roots.
8. Avoiding Over- And Under-Watering – Remember not all plants require a lot of water or frequent watering. Have enough sand into the soil to make up roughly 30 percent of the total composition. Which means drainage is improved. Water only if the soil is dry to the touch. Using a soil-metre will ensure you’ll potentially not have water damage. Remember summer watering is to be more frequent as it receives a lot of sun.
9. Overexposure To The Sun – And as said before, remember that palm trees are susceptible to sunburn, just like we can be at times.
10. Pruning Too Frequently – Certain palms require frequent pruning… and death of a palm tree’s central fronds might cause serious issues. It’s because new fronds only develop at the very top of the stem, leaving the older dead fronds exposed. So, too frequent frond cutting can restrict the potential growth areas for new fronds.
11. Overwatering – Yes, here we go again… Watering, is probably one of the biggest issues ever! Overwatering is one of the best ways to ruin the fronds, which can lead to ‘root-rot’, which affects palm trees much like it affects many other plants.
12. Signs To Watch For – If a palm tree is sick or has started to die or has died, you will notice certain telltale symptoms occurring; which means it’s best to keep an eye out for palm fronds that are stunted, discoloured, or withering. These symptoms say your palm tree is ‘sick’; yet the palm can be saved by stopping and reversing the harm.
Conclusion
As you can read here, there’s always an answer and depending on the severity of the damage, palm trees may need professional intervention in order to recover. And where only a portion of the palm’s leaf has been killed, the plant still has a reasonable chance of recovering with some time to rest and attentive care.
Palms need constant care. As you’ve read, overwatering, changing climate conditions and nutritional deficiency can kill palm trees; yet removing healthy fronds along with dead ones may deprive palm palms of water and nutrients, whilst things like fungus and insects may also kill a palm.
And then just watering a sick tree may not help either. Such things as poor soil care might be the cause or, for a number of reasons reduced morning and evening sunlight is the problem. Remember also that young palm trees need more shade than those more ones. Overwatering fronds can almost guarantee death…
Be on the outlook for stunted, discoloured, or shrivelling palm fronds, then taking action accordingly. And use good quality slow-release fertiliser as it is best for tree care. Finally, remember that palm trees may need specialist care to recover from severe damage.
For you it may be best to receive an obligation free estimate of what can be done for your palm tree.
As such, ABC Palms invites you to contact us at inquiries@abcpalms.com or call on 0477 002 110 for your free no-obligation assessment and quote.
